Call for Speakers

The 2019 National Privacy and Data Governance Congress will be held in Calgary, Alberta.

The proposal submission deadline is 31 AUGUST 2018.

The National Privacy and Data Governance Congress is about quality, not quantity. And that’s only one of the differences that distinguishes the PACC Congress as a superior learning event.

Another difference: We don’t think that packing as many delegates as possible into a venue is a valid indicator of superior quality or value. We do think it gets in the way of networking and conversation. So we limit attendance, have longer sessions than usual, and discourage speakers from relying on PowerPoint — and that facilitates an environment that fosters learning, sharing, and networking.

We also don’t offer manels (all-male panels) and are careful to ensure that neither men nor women dominate the conversations.

Congress attendees and speakers are unequivocal in their appreciation for the caliber of the Congress speakers, and the fact that sessions offer practical guidance that delegates can put to work in their own organizations — not thinly veiled sales presentations or promotions.

If that appeals to you, and you believe your insight would benefit the access, privacy, law and data governance community,we invite you to submit your proposal for suitable workshops and plenary sessions that delve into timely issues that reflect this year’s theme, affect the profession, offer new perspectives, and share insights and best practices. If you’d rather focus on theoretical issues, academic pursuits, recitations of annual reports, or product marketing we invite you to consider other events.

Speaker Obligations & Benefits

Submissions will be reviewed to ensure that speakers and topics align with PACC’s standards of excellence, allowing us to once again deliver a world-class program that is informative, engaging, and offers relevant content that provides genuine value for delegates and sponsors alike.

Speakers must be available to present all three days of the conference.

Only those speakers’ whose proposals are being considered will be contacted by a member of PACC staff or by a PACC Congress committee member

Speakers will be required to agree to meet deadlines for providing session descriptions, audiovisual requirements, and presentation materials.

Speakers must commit to maintaining an educational or professional development focus in your session and to avoid sales messages and marketing presentations.

Speakers who incorporate a sales theme or message and/or receive low audience evaluations will not be invited to present at future seminars or conferences.

PACC offers fresh and timely programming at its learning events, so being approved as a speaker at a PACC event does not imply that the speaker will be invited to speak at future events.

Congress registration fees are waived for speakers.

Speakers’ colleagues may register at reduced rates.

By agreeing to speak at the Congress, speakers give PACC the right and option to post, publish, re-distribute (online and offline) soft and/or hard copies of their presentation material including slides, source code, design specifications, detailed papers, photos and recorded video, with attribution but no monetary or other tangible compensation. Also see here.

NOTE: Please read these tips before submitting a proposal — even if you are a seasoned speaker.

Be Prompt. Submitting early increases the chance of your proposal being accepted in the first round of reviews. The more you delay the more likely your idea will already have been covered.Be Clear. It can be tempting to offer buzzwords and vague descriptions that leave latitude to speak on a range of topics, but fudging it that way doesn’t work here. The more details you provide, and the clearer you are, the better chance you have of being accepted.Be Complete. Submit a descriptive abstract (in English, up to 300 words), a detailed CV (up to 3 pages), and a high-res business-style headshot.Be Tenacious. Please take rejection as encouragement for improving your approach to speaking opportunities. We do not provide reasons for turning down a proposal; but it is never intended as personal criticism and could simply mean there is already an accepted submission on a similar subject or the agenda is already full (especially if you’ve waited to submit your proposal).Be Genuine. Reviewers will check your background, so submissions that reflect your expertise will be more likely to avoid further scrutiny than ones that don’t align with your expertise.

Speaking Tips

Click here for some very helpful hints about how to improve your public speaking.